The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Hillsborough seeks input on Cross Creek Park

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Hillsborough County is planning improvements at Cross Creek Park and is asking members of the public to share their thoughts on how to proceed.

Cross Creek Park currently has an outdoor basketball court, two kickball fields, picnic shelters, and a playground on 14 acres at 19025 Basset Creek Drive, in Tampa, according to a county news release.

Future improvements could include a recreation center with programming, splash pad, walking trails, and an updated playground, the release says.

The county is conducting a virtual engagement exercise, using the Hillsborough Engagement Hub to collect feedback from the public on plans for the park.

Comment for this project is open until Aug. 21.

To participate, visit HCFLGov.net/HCEngage.

Questions in English or Spanish about the virtual public engagement for the park plan may be directed to the Customer Service Center at 813-635-5400.

Published August 17, 2022

Town of St. Leo honors valued service

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The Town of St. Leo has bestowed a Proclamation of Appreciation to Mary Cabot and Luke D’Ambrosio for their time and service to the community.

The recognitions came during a Town Commission meeting in July.

Cabot was singled out for her litter pick-up efforts and her “years of service and positive impact” she has had on St. Leo, through her “exemplary efforts.” D’Ambrosio, who served as Town intern before joining the staff, was recognized for both for his contributions and for “the example he has set for future interns.”

The partnerships between the Town of St. Leo and the Pasco County Health Department received recognition, too.

Mary Cabot, right, stands with St. Leo Mayor Vincent D’Ambrosio, during a July meeting when she received a proclamation of appreciation for her community contributions. (Courtesy of Town of St. Leo)
St. Leo Town Clerk Andrea Calvert, right and Luke D’Ambrosio, proudly display the proclamation bestowed to D’Ambrosio, who served as a Town intern, before joining the staff. He was praised for setting an example for future interns.

 

Starkey and Mariano named to state board

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Kathryn Starkey (File)

Pasco County Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey and Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano have been named to two-year terms on the board of the Florida Association of Counties (FAC), according to a county news release.

Jack Mariano

The election took place during the association’s annual conference in July.

“I’m thrilled to represent Pasco County on this important board,” Starkey said, in the release. “I look forward to working with leaders from around the state on policy issues that will help make Florida and Pasco County great places to live, work and play.”

“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve on a board comprised of dedicated, talented public servants from all over Florida,” Mariano said, in the release. “We plan to do great work as we represent our communities on multiple levels.”

Ginger Delegal, executive director for FAC, also offered some thoughts in the release.

She said that commissioners selected to serve on the executive board must be committed to representing local interests and be willing to speak up for their communities.

Both Starkey and Mariano “have demonstrated these qualities and been carefully selected by fellow commissioners to take on this position,” Delegal added.

FAC was founded in 1929 and represents the diverse interests of Florida’s counties, emphasizing the importance of protecting home rule – the concept that communities and their local leaders should make the decisions that affect their individual communities.

Published August 17, 2022

Idlewild Baptist Church hosts teacher celebration gala

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From left: Wiregrass Elementary teachers Amy Wright and Danielle Bockus, pose with musical guest Gabriela Shephard. (Courtesy of Idlewild Baptist Church)

Idlewild Baptist Church wanted to give teachers a fresh start to the 2022-2023 by expressing the church’s appreciation for them at its first-ever Teacher Celebration Gala.

Teachers from the Pasco and Hillsborough public school districts were invited to the church for an evening of refreshment, relaxation and fun, according to a news release from the church, which is located at 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd., in Lutz.

When teachers walked down a red carpet, on July 30, they were greeted with enthusiasm and smiles, the release notes.

The teachers also could take advantage of photo booths, as well as enjoy a meal served by more than 50 Idlewild church member volunteers, the release adds.

Senior Pastor Ken Whitten gave the teachers a warm welcome and reminisced about a teacher who had played a special role in his life.

After dinner, there were drawings for prizes — such as teacher supplies, an ice-cream social, teacher lunches and various gift cards, a dinner for two at Bern’s, a beach weekend getaway and other prizes provided by sponsors.

Then, the teachers were treated to a comedy show by comedian Jonnie W.

Other highlights included live music, closing remarks and a prayer over the teachers by Dr. Edgar Aponte, the global missions pastor.

The evening concluded with desserts with chocolate fountains, specialty-made coffee, and a spread of hors d’oeuvres after the presentation.

Published August 17, 2022

Is that road really pink?

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Some motorists could be doing a double-take over the next several months, as Pasco County treats some of its roads with a substance that makes them turn temporarily pink.

Pasco County Public Works crews will be applying Reclamite, an asphalt pavement penetrating rejuvenator intended to give the roads longer life by sealing them, preventing air and water intrusion and improving durability, according to a county news release.

The process can add up to five years of life to a road, the release said.

The project is beginning on the west side of the county, but will be done on other select arterial and collector roads in the future.

When initially applied to the road, the substance appears pink, but that disappears in about 30 minutes, the county reports.

The first stretch of road to be treated will be Aripeka Road from U.S. 18 to the Pasco County line.

Published August 10, 2022

Avalon Applauds Healing Hearts Cafe

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Congratulations to Healing Hearts Cafe for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Healing Hearts Cafe’s mission is to provide the homeless with all the resources needed to become contributing members of the Zephyrhills community.

The nonprofit has evolved over the last 10 years, as its roots were originally with the Grace Cafe, founded by Donna Nelson. Grace Cafe served a free meal every Saturday, to anyone in need.

After Nelson moved from the area, director Kathy Pahl changed the name to Healing Hearts Cafe and began serving Saturday night meals, followed by a church service. She also began taking meals to the park two days a week.

Around this time, Joni Keane began helping her, along with Nelson who had just moved back to Zephyrhills.

The three of them felt a need to do more, as the home-insecure had multiple issues to address. They began to pray that God would provide a building where they could offer showers, laundry facilities, and a safe place out of the heat or severe weather. God answered their prayers and they’ve been in their current building for about 16 months.

At Healing Hearts Cafe, three free meals are provided each day. The dining room also serves as a “family room” where displaced persons can hang out, play board games, watch TV, and charge their phones. The building also has laundry facilities and a shower.

The nonprofit also provides rides to job interviews, doctor appointments, court appearances and numerous other places. All of its services are free of charge.

“If there is something we can’t provide, we find someone who does,” says Keane.

In its first year of operation, the nonprofit served 25,000 meals to an average of 50 or more people each day, as well as offered 2,400 showers and completed 700 loads of laundry.

Homelessness has always been an issue, but Keane says it’s been exacerbated lately due to the increased cost of rent, food and other essentials.

People from all walks of life have come to Healing Hearts Cafe for help. Keane says many circumstances can lead to homelessness, including addiction, mental illness, medical catastrophes, abuse, abandonment from loved ones, and poor decision-making.

There are a variety of ways the community can help support Healing Hearts Cafe, including serving food, stocking shelves, cleaning, and spending a few moments to provide encouragement to the clients.

“We are also looking for job coaches, financial advisors, and Bible study leaders. Our facility lso often needs repairs with plumbing and electrical issues, to keep it running smoothly,” says Keane.

The cafe accepts donations of food, paper products and cleaning supplies, at any time.

Monetary donations are greatly appreciated, too. “Due to the high volume of laundry and showers, our utility bill is quite high. We also have the usual expenses of rent, insurance, and cable/wifi,” says Keane.

And, at the end of the day, prayer is always welcomed and appreciated.

Healing Hearts Cafe is located at 6436 12th St., Zephyrhills, FL 33542 and is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, go to  HealingHeartsCafe.com.

Spending quality time with seniors

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(Courtesy of Linda Mitchell)

Little Women of Lutz members Alexis Mitchell, Alyssa Mitchell and Zoey Cropper (in blue shirts), joined the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s club for games and crafts at the Land O’ Lakes Senior Center of Pasco County. Club members and center residents played dominos and painted door hangers. The residents also learned how to make ground sleeping mats — a specialty of the woman’s club — for the homeless.

Pasco Clerk’s office warns of fake checks

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Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles has issued a warning to the public to be on the lookout for fake checks that appear to be coming from Pasco County government.

Crooks are creating checks that look like they’ve been issued by the county, according to a posting on the clerk’s website.

If you think you’ve received a fake check from the county, the clerk’s office asks that you do not try to cash or deposit it. Instead, recipients of such checks should contact the clerk’s office at 352- 521-4566, Option 3, or 727-847-2411, ext. 4566.

Local health departments monitoring monkeypox outbreak

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County health departments in West Central Florida are monitoring and responding to the nationwide outbreak of monkeypox, according to a news release from the Florida Department of Health-Pasco.

As of July 22, there were cases of monkeypox in at least 43 states and Washington D.C., and no deaths had been reported outside of the endemic countries.

If a case is discovered within the West Central Florida region, the health department will conduct epidemiological investigations to notify possible exposures and offer potential post-exposure prophylaxis.

Health departments in West Central Florida will offer the monkeypox vaccine to high-risk groups, as doses become available from the federal government, the release says.

Current information on monkeypox is available at FloridaHealth.gov.

Case data for monkeypox, as well as other reportable diseases, can be found on FLHealthCharts.gov.

Health care providers who suspect a possible case of monkeypox, should immediately contact their local health department or the 24/7 disease reporting hotline at 850-245-4401.

Local county health departments can help providers obtain monkeypox virus-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

Human-to-human transmission generally requires prolonged, face-to-face contact, direct contact with lesion materials, or indirect contact with lesion materials through contaminated items, such as contaminated clothing.

Health care providers should remain vigilant of information related to monkeypox:

  • Monkeypox symptoms, especially among individuals with relevant travel history
  • Transmission and incubation periods
  • Specimen collection
  • Infection control procedures in the home and hospital settings
  • Clinical recognition, and the characteristic rash associated with monkeypox
  • Prophylaxis and possible treatments for monkeypox
  • Monitoring of those exposed to monkeypox

The public also should remain vigilant of the current meningococcal outbreak

Demographic impacts are similar among meningococcal and monkeypox cases. The release says.

The meningococcal vaccines are available for free to high-risk populations at every county health department.

For more information or questions, contact your county health department.

Published August 03, 2022

Hillsborough County breaks record on property appraisals

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Hillsborough County continues to report soaring property values, according to a news release from the office of the county’s property appraiser.

These homes are in Heritage Harbor, a community located off Lutz Lake Fern Road, in Lutz. (Mike Camunas)

The average sales price per square foot in 2021 was $200 for residential properties, up from $167 in the prior year. Gross sales for Hillsborough County residential was a record-breaking $12.94 billion, the release said.

Notice of proposed property taxes has been tabulated and will be sent to all Hillsborough County residential and commercial property owners in August.

Ahead of the notices going out, Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez presented figures to the Hillsborough County Commission that provide insight into the Tampa Bay real estate market’s current state and expected county revenue.

“The 2021 figures show a healthy real estate market with soaring property values leading to an uptick in government revenue,” the release said.

“We have observed strong year-over-year growth in building permit activity, sale prices, and transaction volume in all property types. For our taxing authorities, revenue is up 15%, which means more money going back to the communities served,” Henriquez said, in the release.

Under state law, county property appraisers must make annual assessments on the value of the properties within their individual counties.

“While the appraised value is lower than the actual market value, a hot market like Tampa Bay’s still drives an increase in appraised values,” the release said.

Published August 03, 2022